WD98: ErrMsg: "Word Could Not Re-establish a DDE Connection" (191934)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Word 98 Macintosh Edition
This article was previously published under Q191934

SYMPTOMS

When you insert a database in a Word document or attach a mail merge main document to a data source, the following error message may be displayed:

Word could not re-establish a DDE connection to <application> to complete the current task.

RESOLUTION

You must select the method to be used to insert (open) a data source that is not a Word document from the List Files Of Type box in the Select A Data File dialog box.

NOTE: The List Files Of Type box is the equivalent to the Select Method option available in Word for Windows.

To select the method to be used to open the data source, use one of the following methods as appropriate.

Method 1: To Insert a Database in a Word Document

  1. On the Database toolbar, click Insert Database.

    NOTE: To see the Database toolbar, on the View menu point to Toolbars and then click Database.
  2. In the Database dialog box, click Get Data.
  3. Change the List Files Of Type box to the type of data file you have.
  4. Select your data file and then click Open.

Method 2: To Attach a Data Source to a Mail Merge Main Document

  1. Open your mail merge main document.
  2. On the Tools menu, click Mail Merge.
  3. In the Mail Merge Helper, click Get Data, and then click Open Data Source.
  4. Change the List Files Of Type box to the type of data file you have.
  5. Select your data file and then click Open.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article.

MORE INFORMATION

The following options are available in the List Files Of Type box in a complete installation of Microsoft Office 98 Macintosh Edition:

All Files
Word Documents
Rich Text Format (RTF)
Text Files
MS-DOS Text
Excel Worksheets via DDE
HTML Document
Microsoft Excel 3.x Worksheet
Microsoft Excel 4.x Worksheet
Microsoft Excel 5.x Worksheet
Microsoft Excel 97-98 Worksheet
Recover Text from Any File
Word(Asian Versions)6.0 for Macintosh
Word Address Book
Outlook Express Address Books

NOTE: Although "Microsoft Excel 97-98 Worksheet" is listed, files created in Excel 97 for Windows are not displayed when this option is selected. These files must first be opened by Excel 98 for the Macintosh and then saved as in Microsoft Excel Workbook format. They will then be displayed in the Select A Date File dialog box when Microsoft Excel 97-98 Worksheet is selected. If the All Files option is selected when an Excel 97 file is opened, Word 98 defaults to using DDE to open the file.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:10/4/2002
Keywords:kbbug KB191934
©2002 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.